Director, Philanthropy

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa is seeking a Director of Philanthropy to enhance its fundraising efforts. This role involves developing and executing strategies for securing major gifts and building long-term relationships with donors, focusing on impactful philanthropy in higher education. The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience, strong strategic planning skills, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Flexible working hours

Support for continuing education

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in fundraising or sales.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) is an asset.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and French.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic fundraising plans to secure significant funding.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 100 prospects for major and principal gifts.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and alumni to inspire philanthropic support.

Skills

Relationship Building

Strategic Planning

Fundraising Expertise

Negotiation Skills

Education

Graduate degree in business, management or related discipline

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Join to apply for the Director, Philanthropy role at University of Ottawa

Join to apply for the Director, Philanthropy role at University of Ottawa

Turn your relationship-building and sales expertise into a purpose-driven career in philanthropy at the University of Ottawa—where education, research, and community come together to create meaningful impact.

Position Purpose

With the objective of attracting significant philanthropic investments to the University of Ottawa, this role will be integral to helping the University attain its long-term objectives. The position is accountable for the development of pan-university and faculty/service principal and major gifts, including the strategy, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations ranging from $500,000 to multimillion-dollar transformational donations. The incumbent will help design, implement, and manage principal gifts solicitations across the university and/or for faculties.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Planning: Plays a leadership role in planning, implementing, coordinating, and managing the revenue strategies in support of the University with the clear objective of securing significant funding commitments from individuals and family foundations. This includes the creation of short-and long-range strategic plans with a primary focus on developing and expanding the major and principal level portfolio, for the University’s priorities.
• Account Development: Manages a portfolio of eventually up to 100 prospects at the principal ($1M+) and major gift level ($500K+) through the cultivation, engagement, proposal, solicitation and stewardship phases with donors. Meets expected revenue and activity targets annually. Identifies potential major gifts and planned giving donors for the University, to strengthen its financial capability.
• Relationship Management: Proactively initiates and cultivates successful and profitable relationships with donors, potential donors and alumni with the objective to develop and maintain key long-term relationships. Partners with senior campus leaders to identify and capitalize on principal and major giving opportunities. Works closely with them to plan and execute solicitation and advancement activities that align with specific donor strategies.
• Operational Planning: Provides strategic and operational leadership in the planning, development, implementation and ongoing review of effective and efficient fundraising plans. Together with senior colleagues, develops tailored action plans, solicitation strategies and proposals for prospective donors.
• Expert-Advice: In collaboration with the senior leadership team, develops major funding proposals for attracting principal gift prospective donors. Ensures that senior management are adequately prepared and briefed for advancement related meetings, and, as part of overall principal and major pipeline management. Ensures that appropriate follow-up and debriefing is conducted after advancement activities.
• Networking: As a senior University representative, acts as an ambassador of uOttawa and represents the University to external audiences on a local, national and international level. Builds, cultivates and maintains relationships with prominent alumni, donors, volunteers, friends, community and professional organizations to inspire philanthropic support for the University of Ottawa.
• Issues Management: Evaluates and assesses potential issues of engaged stakeholders, makes suggestions and provides solutions to strengthen relationships with high-profile prospects. Ensure that stewardship and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships.
• Performance evaluation and Reporting: In collaboration with Advancement Services, evaluates and makes recommendations to further the success of the corporate partnership programs. Prepares and submits progress reports and recommends solutions to improve performance where needed.
• Human Resources Management: Hires, supervises and evaluates direct reports, and ensures that they have the training and tools needed to efficiently and effectively do their jobs. Applies human resources management procedures and regulations.

What you will bring:

• Degree at the graduate level in business, management or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising and/or sales experience with a proven track record of achievement and success with developing prospective donors and closing major gifts.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) is an asset.
• Deep understanding of the principles of fundraising and sales best practices.
• Extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans.
• Knowledge of the not-for-profit sector, with preference for experience in a university or higher-education environment.
• Strong relationship building skills, diplomacy and judgment.
• Very strong listening skills.
• A disciplined self-starter who sets ambitious work goals, with a demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively when developing and closing solicitations.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret metrics for evidence-based decision-making.
• Proven organizational, interpersonal, networking and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Experience using software and computer programs as well as fundraising databases; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software is an asset.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both official languages (French and English)
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and travel regularly on business.
• Valid driver’s license and passport required.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [e-mail] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Higher Education

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